Behind me, I heard the captain’s voice — calm and steady — guiding the others without overshadowing me. I smiled behind my face coverings. He had decided I was worth listening to. That was nice.
Larana walked on the other side of the wagon, not in front of me, but close enough to be useful. Or seen. I wasn’t sure which. She didn’t ask where I was going or question the direction. But I felt her watching me, measuring me.
That was also fine. Let her. If she thought she could do better, she was welcome to try.
And I’d stay back and let her fail.
The trees thickened briefly, forcing us into a tighter line. I slowed, adjusting our angle again, guiding the horse through a narrow gap between two trunks.
“Careful,” I warned over my shoulder. “Wheel will catch if you rush it.”
The wagon slowed behind us, the men easing it through carefully. They were learning too, or they were cold enough to listen.
A gust of wind cut through the branches, sending a flurry of snow down around us. The horse flinched, stamping once before settling again.
“Easy,” I murmured, reaching back to steady him.
My gaze lifted. I knew I couldn’t take two wagons and horses through here, but sometimes, just sometimes, nature gave you a hand.
I saw it and smiled. A dip in the land, shallow but wide enough to take the wagon through and give us some shelter. The trees curved slightly around it, their branches thicker, heavier with snow. The wind would still reach us, but not like before.
I angled toward it without announcing the change. If anyone questioned it, then they didn’t think I was worth the gold they were paying me.
The ground sloped gently downward as we approached, with snow thinning further under the cover of branches. I tested each step before committing my weight, making adjustments as needed.
I checked for a hidden drop or an icy slick with my staff, but it was safe enough.
Stepping into the hollow first, I turned slowly as I assessed the space, seeing there was enough room for both horses. We could unhitch the wagons and leave them behind, as they’d add cover to break the wind.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was still good.
“Here,” I called, finally stopping. “We rest here.”
The horse lowered his head slightly, his sides heaving. I let him stand, giving him a moment before loosening the reins.
Behind me, the men carefully brought in the other wagon, positioning it where I indicated without argument. Two of them started unhitching it before being told.
I moved through the space as they settled, adjusting without really thinking.
“Turn the wagon if you can,” I said, gesturing. “Block the open side. Keep the wind off the horses.”
Baxley immediately shifted, helping them carry out my instructions before I finished speaking.
Larana moved to the edge of the hollow, scanning outward. Her posture was loose but alert.
Gralen muttered something under his breath, but still followed the order with the other wagon.
Captain Marson approached me once the wagon was in place, his breath visible in the air between us.
“This is good?” he asked.
I looked around once more, taking in the trees, the slope, and the way the snow settled.
“For a while,” I said.
His jaw tightened slightly. “And after that?”
I met his gaze. “We’ll have moved on before it matters.”
